Quick answer
Temple etiquette on Sri Lanka's south coast means covering shoulders and knees, removing shoes and hats before entering the temple area, never posing with your back to a Buddha image, not using flash on murals, walking clockwise around stupas and Bodhi trees, not touching monks, and keeping voices low. Carry a sarong or scarf in the car when coming from the beach. Donations are welcome, and poya days need extra respect. Devales, shrines to gods, follow similar rules.
Key takeaways
- Shoulders and knees must be covered at all temples, so a sarong or scarf in the car is essential for beach days.
- Shoes and hats come off at the temple entrance, and stone floors can be very hot at midday.
- Posing for photographs with your back to a Buddha image is considered disrespectful and may be illegal.
- Walk clockwise around stupas and Bodhi trees, keeping them on your right.
- Flash photography damages old murals and is not allowed in many image houses.
What to wear
Cover shoulders and knees at every temple on Sri Lanka's south coast, including small village temples and devales. Light, loose clothing in pale colours is comfortable and respectful. White is traditional on poya days.
Beach clothes, such as swimwear, shorts and vests, are not appropriate. Keep a sarong or large scarf in the car or day bag to wrap over shorts or shoulders when stopping at a temple between beaches.
Temple etiquette on the south coast applies to every kind of sacred site: Buddhist temples, devales, the island temple at Seenigama, the cave shrines at Mulkirigala and even rock carvings such as Kushtaraja Gala, which local people treat with respect.
- →Cover shoulders and knees.
- →Choose light, loose, pale clothing.
- →Carry a sarong or scarf on beach days.
Shoes, hats and floors
Remove shoes and hats before entering the temple area, usually at a marked point near the entrance. Some temples have shoe-keepers who expect a small tip. Socks are usually allowed and can protect feet from hot stone.
Stone floors and steps can become very hot by midday, especially at rock temples such as Mulkirigala. Visiting early in the morning or late in the afternoon is kinder to bare feet.
- →Remove shoes and hats at the entrance.
- →Socks can protect feet from hot stone.
- →Visit early or late on hot days.
Photographs and statues
Never pose for photographs with your back to a Buddha image, as this is considered disrespectful and can lead to trouble. Do not climb on statues or touch them. Flash damages old murals and is not allowed in many image houses.
Ask before photographing monks or worshippers, and avoid photographing people at prayer. Some temples restrict photography in certain areas, so watch for signs or ask.
- →Never turn your back to a Buddha for a photo.
- →No flash on murals.
- →Ask before photographing people.
Monks, movement and behaviour
Do not touch monks, and women should avoid sitting directly next to them or handing objects to them directly. Offer items with both hands. Keep voices low, avoid public displays of affection and do not point your feet at Buddha images or monks.
Walk clockwise around stupas and Bodhi trees, keeping them on your right. At devales, shrines to gods such as the Devol Devale at Seenigama or Devinuwara at Dondra, follow the same rules and watch rituals quietly.
- →Do not touch monks.
- →Walk clockwise around stupas.
- →Watch rituals quietly at devales.
Donations and poya days
Donations are welcome at most temples, in boxes near the shrines. Around US$1 to US$3 is respectful at small temples, and more if a monk or caretaker opens a shrine. Flowers can be bought at stalls outside many temples as offerings.
Poya days, the monthly full moon holidays, bring crowds of worshippers in white. Visitors are welcome, but should be especially quiet and respectful, and avoid getting in the way of rituals.
- →Small temples: roughly US$1 to US$3.
- →When a shrine is opened for you: a little more.
- →Flowers: sold outside many temples as offerings.
Making temple visits easy
Lankan Stays & Trails drivers carry spare sarongs for temple stops on south coast days, and guides explain the etiquette at each temple, which makes visits smoother for travellers coming from the beach.
A simple routine helps: sarong in the bag, slip-on shoes, small notes for donations and a quiet voice. With those, any temple on the coast can be visited with confidence.
Frequently asked questions
What should I wear to temples on Sri Lanka's south coast?
Cover shoulders and knees with light, loose clothing. Swimwear, shorts and vests are not appropriate. Carry a sarong or scarf on beach days to wrap over shorts or shoulders when stopping at a temple.
Do I have to take my shoes off at temples in Sri Lanka?
Yes. Shoes and hats come off at the temple entrance, usually at a marked point. Socks are usually allowed and help on hot stone. Some temples have shoe-keepers who expect a small tip.
Can I take photos at temples in Sri Lanka?
Usually, with care. Never pose with your back to a Buddha image, do not use flash on murals, and ask before photographing monks or worshippers. Some temples restrict photography in certain areas.
Why can't you turn your back to a Buddha statue in photos?
Turning your back to a Buddha image for a photograph is considered disrespectful in Sri Lanka, and visitors have faced trouble for it. Stand beside or facing the statue instead, and avoid posing playfully near sacred images.
Is it okay to visit temples on poya days?
Yes. Temples welcome visitors on poya days, though they are busy with worshippers in white. Be especially quiet, dress modestly and avoid getting in the way of rituals or photographing people at prayer.
What is a devale?
A devale is a shrine to a Hindu or local deity, often found within or beside Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka. On the south coast, the Devol Devale at Seenigama and the Vishnu shrine at Devinuwara are well known. Etiquette is similar to Buddhist temples.
Can women visit temples on the south coast?
Yes, women are welcome at all temples on the south coast, including during poya days and festivals. The same dress rules apply, with shoulders and knees covered. Women should avoid touching monks, sitting directly beside them or handing items to them directly, and offer things with both hands.